2013 Winter Lecture Series - Evolving Iran: The Theocracy Deals with the 21st Century
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Transcript of 2013 Winter Lecture Series - Evolving Iran: The Theocracy Deals with the 21st Century
• Evolving Iran: The Theocracy Grapples with the 21st Century• Barb Flanagan
Introduction
• The circumstances that caused the Islamic Revolution in 1979
• The Political System that was created in the aftermath of the Revolution in 1979
• The Political Evolution of the theocracy in Iran since 1979.
An Introduction to Iran
• Geographic & Demographic Features– 70 million people– A young population– Vast Natural Resources: Oil & Gas– Relationship to the Middle East
Twin Imam Mosque in Esfahan
Iran in the 20th century
• The Pahlavi Monarchy– Reza Khan (ruled Iran 1925-41)– Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1941-1979)
• Reza Khan– Military Leader– Removed from the throne because of his
relationship with Nazi Germany
The Shah: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi• Reasons for his downfall– Attacks on Islam– Reliance on the West– 1953: Operation Ajax– Human Rights Violations
• National Intelligence and Security Organization (SAVAK)
– Economic Problems• White Revolution• Oil Revenues were not redistributed to the people
• Lack of Support from Iranian People
The Revolution of 1979• Protests against the Shah 1978– Khomeini– Shia Grassroots Network
• 1979– Shah flees the country– Referendum changes the Iranian political system to an Islamic
Republic– Over 90% of the population voted for the changes
– Hostage Crisis
The Political System
Political Institutions
• Constitution• President: Ahmadinejad• Parliament: Majles• Judiciary• Supreme Leader: Khamenei• Guardian Council: consists of senior
clerics
Foreign Policy• War with Iraq (1980-88)• Khomeini saw it as a religious war against secular Saddam.• Lots of loss on both sides. • This also allowed Khomeini and his supporters to get rid of
the secular and liberal aspects of the revolution
Foreign Policy
• Support for Terrorism– Hezbollah and Hamas
• War in Iraq (2003)– Support for Shiites in Iraq
• Support for Assad in Syria• Desire to be a Regional Power
The Nuclear Issue
• Nuclear Program• Potential Development of Nuclear Weapons• Attack from Israel? United States?
The Evolution of Domestic Politics
• The Reform Movement in the 1990s• Wanted to promote democracy and reform in
Iran• Khatami was elected president in 1997 on a
platform of reform• His efforts/Reforms:– Freer press– Less social control– More local democracy
The Weakness of the Reform Movement
• Crushed by Guardian Council • Role of the Media• Student Protests
Economic Issues
• Economic Problems– Lack of Jobs– Oil infrastructure needs upgrading– Sanctions– Corruption• Many receive kickbacks from the oil industry
Human Rights Violations• 2009 Election– Mousavi and Ahmadinejad
• Torture• Lack of Basic Political Rights
The Future for Iran
• Greater Democratization?• Progress on Human Rights?• Limiting the Nuclear Program?• More Repression?• Next Supreme Leader?